Sven Petersen has released a new piece of hardware for the PET.

A C64/VIC-20/Atari Joystick Adapter for the Commodore PET. It supports the Coyote Electronics pin configuration (two joysticks) and the space invader/break put style pin configuration (left, right, fire), found on zimmers.net (https://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/pet/games/english/joy/index.html).

The Coyote Electronics pin configuration is also called "PET User port adapter" in the VICE emulator, so it is expected to be wide spread. Space Invader + is the completed pin configuration of the previously mentioned games and can also be found on the "stupid PET tricks" adapter. Hence the name. All joystick games found in the previously mention source could be played with this joystick adapter.

Visit https://github.com/svenpetersen1965/PET-Joystick-Adapter

I was aware that Commodore had re-launched, however I simply assumed it was another bunch of dreamers that had picked up and developed yet another hardware/software emulator. I didn't know that Leonard Tramiel (son of Commodore's founder Jack Tramiel) was on board as were some of Commodore's original team.

I shall watch with interest.

Quote from: luvtofish on September 18, 2025, 04:08 AMI know this thread is a few months old. But are the download links also broken? I'm trying to download Blitz128 compiler and getting a 404?

Yes - I've got that on the list of things that need redoing.

This is BASIC M6502 8K VER 1.1, the 6502 BASIC lineage that powered an era of home computing and formed the foundation of Commodore BASIC in the PET, VIC-20, and the legendary Commodore 64. This very source tree also contains adaptations for the Apple II ("Applesoft BASIC"), built from the same core BASIC source. The original headers still read, "BASIC M6502 8K VER 1.1 BY MICRO-SOFT"—a time capsule from 1978.

The version we are releasing here—labeled "1.1"—contains fixes to the garbage collector identified by Commodore and jointly implemented in 1978 by Commodore engineer John Feagans and Bill Gates, when Feagans traveled to Microsoft's Bellevue offices. This is the version that shipped as the PET's "BASIC V2."

The announcement from Microsoft is here and the code is here.

Supported Computer Systems

The source code includes conditional compilation support for multiple pioneering computer systems:

Apple II (REALIO=4)
Commodore PET (REALIO=3)
Ohio Scientific (OSI) (REALIO=2)
MOS Technology KIM-1 (REALIO=1)
PDP-10 Simulation (REALIO=0)

Technical Specifications

Language: 6502 Assembly Language
Target Processor: MOS Technology 6502 8-bit microprocessor
Memory Footprint: 8KB ROM version
Features: Complete BASIC interpreter with floating-point arithmetic
Architecture: Designed for both ROM and RAM configurations
Key Features
Programming Language Support
Full BASIC language implementation
Floating-point arithmetic
String handling and manipulation
Array support (both integer and string arrays)
Mathematical functions and operators
Input/output operations
Memory Management
Efficient memory utilization for 8-bit systems
String garbage collection
Dynamic variable storage
Stack-based expression evaluation
Hardware Abstraction
Configurable I/O routines for different computer systems
Terminal width adaptation
Character input/output abstraction
Optional disk storage support

Development History

The source code includes detailed revision history showing active development:

July 27, 1978: Fixed critical bugs in FOR loop variable handling and statement parsing
July 1, 1978: Memory optimization and garbage collection improvements
March 9, 1978: Enhanced string function capabilities
February 25, 1978: Input flag corrections and numeric precision improvements
February 11, 1978: Reserved word parsing enhancements
January 24, 1978: User-defined function improvements

/*
C128 Menu Example in C

File: menu.c
Author: Micha B 08/2025

Compiler: Oscar64
Compile me:
oscar64 -v -i=include -tm=c128 -O2 -dNOFLOAT -dHEAPCHECK menu.c
*/

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <conio.h>
#include <petscii.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include <ctype.h>

/* --- Global variables --- */
char c_choice = 0;

/* --- Function prototypes --- */
void draw_menu(void);
bool f_quit(void);
bool f_opt1(void);
bool f_opt2(void);
bool f_opt3(void);
bool f_opt4(void);

/* --- Draw a text menu --- */
void draw_menu(void)
{
putpch(147); // SCNCLR
printf("\x05================================\n"); // text color: White
printf("  C128 Menu Example\n");
printf("  -----------------\n");
printf("  (1) Option 1    (2) Option 2\n");
printf("  (3) Option 3    (4) Option 4\n");
printf("  (0) Quit\n");
printf("================================\n");
printf("\x1EChoice:\x05 "); // switch to text color green, than back to white
}

/* --- React on user's demand to quit --- */
bool f_quit(void)
{
char c_answer = 'n';

puts("Quit requested!\n\n");
puts("Do you realy want to quit (Y/n)? ");

c_answer = getpch();
if ( ((int) c_answer == 89)  || ((int) c_answer == 217)  )
return (false);
else
return(true);
}

/* --- React on option 1 --- */
bool f_opt1(void)
{
puts("Option 1 requested.\n\n");
puts(" Press a key to CONTINUE... ");
getpch(); // wait for key pressed
return(true);
}

/* --- React on option 2 --- */
bool f_opt2(void)
{
puts("Option 2 requested.\n\n");
puts(" Press a key to CONTINUE... ");
getpch(); // wait for key pressed
return(true);
}

/* --- React on option 3 --- */
bool f_opt3(void)
{
puts("Option 3 requested.\n\n");
puts(" Press a key to CONTINUE... ");
getpch(); // wait for key pressed
return(true);
}

/* --- React on option 4 --- */
bool f_opt4(void)
{
puts("Option 4 requested.\n\n");
puts(" Press a key to CONTINUE... ");
getpch(); // wait for key pressed
return(true);
}


/*  --- Main program --- */
int main(void)
{
bool running = true;

/* --- Prepare the environment --- */
// Switch display mode to lower case petscii
// could also be done by iocharmap(IOCHM_PETSCII_2);
putpch(14); // switch to charmap 2
putpch(;     // lock Charmap selector key

while (running)
{
draw_menu();
c_choice = getpch();

/* --- Select options --- */
switch(c_choice)
{
case '0':
running = f_quit();
break;
case '1':
running = f_opt1();
break;
case '2':
running = f_opt2();
break;
case '3':
running = f_opt3();
break;
case '4':
running = f_opt4();
break;
default:
draw_menu();
}
}
puts("\n\nProgram terminated.\n");
putpch(9); // unlock charmap selector key
putpch(142); // switch back to charmap 1
return 0;
}

We'll be upgrading the forum software next weekend - there will be a short outage.
The changes for this version are:
PHP Support
* Raises the minimum supported PHP version from 7.0 to 7.1.
* Adds support for PHP 8.4.
User Profiles
* Fixes errors when profile fields using the "nohtml" mask are given values with Unicode characters or quotation marks.
* Adds a new, separate permission for using Gravatars.
Attachments
* Several fixes and improvements for the attachment upload UI.
* Sets Content-Disposition header correctly for attachments for mobile browsers.
* Improves handling of SVG image attachments
* Adds support for WEBP images.
Editor and BBCode
* The "Quote Selected Text" button is now more tolerant of "messy" selection ranges.
* Shows "Last Edit" info (if applicable) when editing a post.
* Improves smileys popup behavior.
* Improves image quality of previews for embedded attachments in the WYSIWYG editor.
* Fixes bugs in a few edge cases when parsing BBCode.
* Centers BBCode tables wrapped in the center BBCode.
* Fixes PHP syntax highlighting in BBCode under PHP 8.3+.
* Fixes issues with broken HTML entities in warning templates.
Calendar
* Shows multiple calendar events on the same day correctly.
Search
* Fixes undefined variable error in custom search API.
* Fixes a bug where the last character of a Unicode search term could be mangled.
* Returns correct search results when post moderation is enabled.
Email
* Notification emails always use display names, never usernames.
* Improved handling of SMTP errors when sending emails.
* Fixes a bug where undeliverable emails might never clear from the mail queue.
* Accepts wildcards in email-based ban triggers.
Admin
* Updates Unicode data files in a background task. (This ensures the forum will always have up-to-date support for the latest emojis and such.)
* Fixes bug where rearranging boards in the admin center could cause some boards to temporarily not be shown.
Other
* Fixes errors in RSS feeds for messages by members with commas in their usernames.
* Fixes the integrate_error_types integration hook.
* Fixes the integrate_attachments_browse integration hook.
* Fixes open_basedir warnings in PHP 8.
* Fixes some minor UI bugs.

Timing table for every PET command

Commodore 128 C128 16-Color, 80-Column RGBi 15Khz RGB to VGA Adapter

PRICE:
17€ --> 8 colors
19€ --> 16 colors
36€ --> 16 colors + VLR
https://www.ebay.it/itm/376241376516

NEW C128 RGBi adapter to VGA!

Connect your C128 RGBi port to VGA monitor (15KHz horizontal freq. compatible!)

The anchoring screws for the C128 are present, as well as those for screwing for the VGA cable!

Just simply select the option that you want:

TYPE 1 --> 8-color 80-Column RGB

This adapter version is used to connect the rear 9-pin RGBI port on the Commodore 128 to a 15-pin VGA cable which then connects to a 15-kHz capable VGA monitor.
This gives you 8-color output and 80-Columns (double the 40-columns of the VIC-II chip) of text using the VDC Chip inside the 128.

TYPE 2 --> 16-color 80-Column RGB
This adapter version is used to connect the rear 9-pin RGBI port on the Commodore 128 to a 15-pin VGA cable which then connects to a 15-kHz capable VGA monitor.
This gives you 16-color output and 80-Columns (double the 40-columns of the VIC-II chip) of text using the VDC Chip inside the 128.

TYPE 3 --> 16-color 80-Column RGB + VLR (with USB power cable 1mt)
This adapter version is used to connect the rear 9-pin RGBI port on the Commodore 128 to a 15-pin VGA cable which then connects to a 15-kHz capable VGA monitor.This gives you 16-color output and 80-Columns with a PERFECT IMAGE because is equipped with VLR!
It is equipped internally with active VLR circuit. Power cable cord is included (USB connector 1mt) and you have to connect to standard AC/DC adapter (like smartphone)
This gives you 16-color output and 80-Columns with a PERFECT IMAGE because is equipped with VLR!
These vertical bars are visible especially in VGA mode on the first ASSY versions of the 128. The advice is that if you have already connected your c128 in 80 columns and you have these vertical bars on the VGA monitor then with this version you will notice an incredible improvement

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT:

This ADAPTER requires a VGA monitor that can sync to a 15-kHz signal. Normally, VGA uses a horizontal frequency of 31.5kHz. But, the Commodore 128 basically outputs a CGA signal which is a 15-kHz digital RGBI standard. It's this standard of the Commodore 128!
In any case there are some modern VGA monitors capable of displaying 15-kHz (Acer, Dell, Asus, BenQ, etc. etc).

ugBASIC 1.17.2 Released

A new version of ugBASIC, the open source isomorphic BASIC compiler, has been released.
In addition to making some specific commands, such as DRAW and PLAY, compatible with multitasking, support for custom data types has been added at the language level via the BEGIN TYPE statement. The compiler has also been improved and optimized for Commodore 64, Commodore 64 REU and Commodore 128 computers.
ugBASIC is a cross compiler for Linux and Windows, for writing games in the BASIC language, running on dozens of different home computers and 8-bit consoles. There is also a convenient integrated IDE for Microsoft Windows and even a sandbox, if you don't want to install anything.


https://ugbasic.iwashere.eu/

From Thomas Lövskog
 
Today I got the new revision of my VIC NX* board soldered. It is now ready for hooking up to the logic analyser, oscilloscopes and start testing. Hopefully we can get this booting to the Ready prompt. The characters will be totally garbled though. The character ROM in this variant resides in SRAM and needs to be initialized. For that we need some code. Code that is executed in a hidden partition of the 512k for BLK6/7 before anything else. This is also where configuration firmware will reside.

Smoke test is done. All regulators work as expected, there is 5V where it should and Meatloaf is booting. The GreenPAK (little sub board in the top right corner. It will be soldered down as a tssop20 in the next run) manages the power, top LED and reset as expected.

However. To much work this weekend so it will have to be in this state until next week(end).

* VIC NX is my idea of an enhanced reproduction of the famous VIC 20. It is built on the 6502, 6522 and 6560/61 in DIP and the rest is modern of the shelf parts. Fully expanded and some extra features. See https://blog.lskg.io/tag/vic-nx/
The FATVIC, drop in replacement for 6560/61 is also shown here. This will be a nice test vehicle for that project.

In development - a new game for the C128's VDC

https://goodwell.itch.io/crawl128

Hardware Requirements
This game is designed to run on the Commodore 128 (yes, in C128 mode), and is using the VDC-Chip (not the VIC-II chip, which is used in C64 mode). Also, the VDC-Chip needs to have 64kB of VRAM available.

Source Code
https://github.com/The8BitTheory/dungeoncrawlerjam2025

We are pleased to announce the Commodore 128 4k Game Coding Competition 2025!

RULES

- Entries must be original programs
- Entries must NOT be larger than 4096 bytes (4kb)
- The result must be playable on a real (standard unexpanded) C128 and VICE
- The competition starts Saturday May 3rd 2025
- Entries must be submitted on or before June 30th 2025
- Entries must only be for the 128's 40 or 80 column modes - CP/M & 64 modes will be disqualified
- There will be a competition page at www.commodore-128.org with the submissions & you'll
  have the opportunity to vote for your favourite game

SUBMISSIONS

- Submissions page will be announced in the forum thread shortly
- Format of submissions to be in either D81, D64 or PRG format & then zipped

DISCUSSION

Competition discussion in the Commodore 128 Alive! forums : https://www.commodore-128.org/index.php/topic,3880.0.html

PRIZES

- 1st prize of $AU100
- 2nd prize of $AU50
- 3rd prize of $AU25

Prizes will be paid via Amazon voucher to the winners after voting has been completed & in the currency of the winner.
The amount paid will be determined by the exchange rate on the day the winners are announced.

When I moved the forums from the temp site to the hosted site I neglected to update a few settings - this resulted in some broken links - I've fixed most, will audit the board over the weekend to ensure that all links are correct again.

Also, my Stop Forum Spam API key wasn't added in to the board - this has now been corrected as well.

FATVIC is a drop in replacement for the 6560/6561 VIC chip used in the Commodore VIC 20 computer. It has all the usuall features of the 6560/6561, but also some extra optional features. Full memory in BLK0 accessable by the VIC chip, VGA mode, and enhanced functionallity with 32 sprites, hires graphics and fast hardware accelerated drawing and memory copying.

https://blog.deciduous.se/tag/fatvic/

Mine was a demo model from the local dealer

Quote from: BigDumbDinosaur on March 11, 2025, 11:12 PM

Quote from: Blacklord on January 06, 2025, 07:09 AM40 years ago today the Commodore 128 was released at the 1985 CES show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Seems like just the other day when I bought my first C-128.

Yep - I can recall the day I bought my (metal) 128D and took it home.

Switchless 8x Multi-Speeder and 32KB KB RAM expansion with parallel port and Kernal switch for the internal 1571 floppy disk drive and C128DCR (DolphinDos3 compatible)

https://github.com/FraEgg/commodore-c128dcr-1571-switchless-floppydrive-8x-multi-floppy-speeder

A 256x256 Pixel graphic card for the Commodore PET computer from the small German computer engineering company ELTEC (1980)

Most Commodore BASIC interpreters have a bug in the floating point multiply routine. The bug can be demonstrated with the attached BASIC program and also one that will correct the bug.

A new version of ugBASIC, the open source isomorphic BASIC compiler, has been released.

This version for Commodore 128 supports improved multiplexed sprites, synchronized vertical blank at line level, native "SID" audio files, and virtual console text scrolling. 

Moreover, the language integrates many Simons' BASIC instructions.

ugBASIC is a cross compiler for Linux and Windows, for writing simple language games, that can run on dozens of different home computers, and 8-bit consoles. 

There is also a convenient built-in IDE for Microsoft Windows, and even a sandbox, if you don't want to install anything at all.

https://ugbasic.iwashere.eu/target/c128?target=c128

Quote from: RobertB on January 19, 2025, 09:31 AMVery interesting!  It's probably not going to make it on the agenda for tomorrow's FCUG meeting, but it will certainly be on the agenda for February.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan

I'm firing this up on Vice - this is something I've wanted for a very, very long time!

Will report back.

An MS-DOS like command line interface for the Commodore 128 equipped with at least a Commodore drive and a REU of 256K.

What "TheShell128" can do.

• Can use 40 cols on VIC or 40/80 cols on VDC;
• Can set/use CPU in fast or slow mode;
• Support for fast/slow cpu;
• Support for REU up to 16MB;
• Support for 10 aliases;
• Support for local variables;
• Support up to 4 drives;
• Can be localized;
• Copy or delete files with wildcard support;
• Rename files (no wildcard support);
• Format, relabel or copy disk;
• Show file content;
• Read or write d64/d71/d81 images;
• Read directory and copy MS-DOS files with burst support to and from a CBM (no wildcard support, no subdirectories support and only with at least a 1571);
• Can make an external command resident for the shell;
• Can execute batch files;
• Can mount or dismount disk images on UltimateII cart;
• Can get or put files to a remote host with a simple .js server;
• Can copy to and from UltimateII cart USB sticks/CBM peripheral;
• Can get, set or sync the internal clock with the one on the UltimateII cart;
• Can go back to the shell once gone to basic;
• Can use any bank of the REU;
• Can use a (provided) ROM to make it available on cold boot without any disk with an U2 cart

The XUM1541 Pico is a compact and stripped down version of XUM1541/ZoomFloppy. It allows you to connect your modern PC/Mac/Linux to your old Commodore diskdrive (1541, 1541-II, 1570, 1571, 1581) and transfer disk images (d64, d81 and others) to real floppies or transfer/backup floppies to disk images.

Features:

Based on ATmega32U4 micro controller

Built with high quality components from Atmel, Texas Instruments, Molex and others.

Single buffered IEC port

Status LEDs (power and activity)

One 15cm/6" USB cable included

Rubber feet on board bottom side

Reset bottom (press for DFU mode/firmware upgrade)

XUM1541 Home Page

40 years ago today the Commodore 128 was released at the 1985 CES show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Quote from: BigDumbDinosaur on December 09, 2024, 05:56 AMCan the files in RAR format be converted to ZIP?  I don't have anything that can open an RAR file.

Sure - these mostly date from the early 2000s when RAR was a tad more widespread. 

Guessing you aren't using Windows ? WinZip opens them.